Chapter 35: Electra’s Decision

“Forgive me for going on at such length.”
“No, thank you for telling me.”
“I’m glad I was able to learn so much.”

That said, to put it simply.

“In the end, Harid choosing Livia and being swayed by her was his own responsibility, wasn’t it?”
“…Yes.”
“From what I saw, I don’t believe he knew Livia was the duke’s daughter.”
“In other words, he likely did not choose her for that sort of advantage.”
“There was no sign that he had any connection to the duchess’s faction either.”
“I see…”

That is the crux of it.
From my standpoint, that is all that matters.

The infighting of the ducal house and Livia’s upbringing are irrelevant.
Harid betrayed me.
That alone is the truth.

There was no room for schemes to force that outcome.
Of course, someone may have helped set the mood between them.
But in the end, while he had a wife, he fixated on another woman, chose her, and sought to divorce me.

That is everything.

Perhaps I should have demanded compensation.
But at the time, I did not even want to speak with them.
It became a mutually agreed divorce, without any discussion of compensation.
I drifted away from the Viscount Vent house, and that was the end of it.

Now, I think that was fine.
Had I returned to my family home without fear of the ducal house, I likely would have spent my days seeking a new match with compensation money in hand.

Instead, I like my current life.
I can use my talents and feel that I am helping others.
And most of all, he is here.

“Um, my lord.”
“Is the reason you came today simply because you wanted to confirm my identity?”
“No, that is not it.”
“Forgive me for the long preamble.”

It seems the strange events surrounding the Carlson house are not the end of it.

“First, take as a premise that such circumstances existed around the Carlson and Pharmason houses.”
“Yes.”
“The duchess’s retaliation will continue to corner the Carlson house.”
“That may already be unrelated to you, however…”
“…I am worried about the people of the land.”

For two years, they struggled.
I saw how they lived.
The servants seem to have been able to choose their own paths, but my concern remains.

That said, there is nothing more I can do.
We are divorced.
All I can do is hope they will properly consider the lives of the people.

“Sister.”
“The Carlson viscount and his wife may seek you for different reasons.”

…

At those words, scenes from my prophetic dream flickered through my mind.
Even after the divorce, the persistent obsession and pursuit.
I still do not know whether that dream was prophecy or something else.

“In a painful marriage, a man turning back to his former wife is not uncommon.”
“The fact that they took such measures, even with a stand-in, suggests that kind of disposition.”

It was easy to imagine.
I could understand it.

“As for Livia.”
“She kept ‘you’ in her house for half a year and took it for granted.”
“It may be hard to understand, but if she depended on you in some way…”
“Then now that Lady Albright is gone, she may begin searching for me again?”
“…It is only speculation.”
“For now, they lack both manpower and money to do so.”
“But if they were to see you somewhere…”

The margrave likely did not enjoy having this conversation.
He saw their behavior at the wedding and considered the situation.
I agreed with his assessment.
Even though I have never met them.

And there was also the matter of the ‘light blue-haired woman.’
He had an idea who that might be.
That is why he sought me out so soon after returning.

“What do you wish to do from here?”
“As long as you live in this land, you are my subject.”
“If danger is clearly approaching, I must protect you.”
“From here on…”

From here on.

Until now, I devoted myself to what was before me and to my feelings.
At life’s turning points, escaping threats mattered more than choosing a path.
But now…

What do I want to do from here?

“…I spoke to you today because you appear to be a special existence.”
“Special?”
“Yes.”
“You are blessed with talent, and rumors of your abilities are already spreading.”
“That is a form of fame.”
“Unwelcome as it may be, you have become conspicuous.”
“I regret to say this, but I already told Harid about you.”
“Or rather, about the ‘Holy Knight’ and the ‘Goddess.’”
“I did not mention hair color or your true name, but…”
“P-Please refrain from that.”
“Being treated like a goddess is quite unwelcome.”
“I see.”
“Given the reported abilities, I believe you are the one who should be called a ‘Saint.’”

That is something I acknowledge privately.
Not because I was flattered, but because, in terms of ability, it seems accurate.

This country has no legend of an ancient saint.
There are no tales of divine messengers either.

So ‘Saint’ is merely a label used when convenient.
A way to gather hearts by saying it.

Had it been someone else, I might have gossiped irresponsibly with friends.
“There’s a saint in the borderlands,” and all that.

“If you wish to live quietly.”
“Then I must say that you should refrain from using your power.”
“The golden light and powerful healing magic are too… saint-like.”
“No matter what, they will draw attention and rumors.”
“Anywhere you go.”

“Haha…”

Yes.
As long as I use my power, I will stand out.
I could return to modest healing as before, of course.

But if someone grievously injured appeared before me.
If I could heal them, would I ignore them just to stay hidden?

…I do not think I could.

To begin with, I have no strong reason to live quietly.
It would be easier.
I might be targeted, so hiding would be safer.
That is all.

Those reasons do not outweigh the life of someone injured before my eyes.

Now I know, more or less, that the source of the malice I felt was the duke.
He has little reason to pursue me further.
If so, there is little reason for me to remain subdued.

For me now, ‘hiding my abilities’ would mean losing the freedom to heal fully.

“If you choose a path that uses your abilities.”
“Then the spread of rumors will be unavoidable.”
“And someday, they will learn who you are.”

That the ‘goddess’ active in the borderlands is Electra.
My former husband would learn it.
And when that happens, he would likely seek me out.
Or else…

Livia, too, seems to be a frightening woman in her own way.
An obsessive nature.
Our titles place us in direct comparison.
Her fixation may worsen further.

It felt like an inescapable bond of fate.

If Livia still clings to me, the duke might move again.
The duchess is not my ally.
Nor did Lady Albright take in every servant.

In the end, I have not resolved matters with them.
I divorced Harid without speaking to him and simply ran.

This is a trial I cannot avoid in my life.
Thanks to the prophetic dream, I had time to prepare my heart and build strength.
Above all, I believe I have lived more strongly than the me in that dream.
I have that confidence now.

Then there is only one thing to do.

“Margrave of Grandra.”
“Yes.”

All the information available to me has been laid out.
He has asked what I wish to do.

A margrave holds rank equivalent to a marquis, a special position.
A duke holds the highest noble rank, but that too is a unique role, tied to royal blood.
There is a hierarchy, but with proper backing, one would not be cornered unilaterally.

“In fact, there is still someone who has a connection to the Pharmason ducal house.”
“…Oh?”
“If you are willing to lend your support.”
“After consulting with him.”
“…Would you accompany me in my ‘retaliation’?”

When I said that,
perhaps because it was unexpected,
the margrave widened his eyes in surprise.